The bye weeks are over and the Saturday games are here. The playoffs are taking shape but only one team has clinched a spot while a few more can be clinched this weekend.
1 seed: Buffalo Bills (10-3, own the head to head over KC)
Remaining schedule: Miami, at Chicago, at Cincinnati, New England
They've won four in a row and are rounding into playoff form. The division isn't wrapped up yet but they can inch closer this weekend. Can they hold off Kansas City and prevent them from owning the AFC once again? The remaining schedule isn't an easy one as three of their four opponents are in the playoff chase. The only good thing about it, is that two of those games are at home. It starts this weekend with a long awaited rematch against the Dolphins.
2 seed: Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
Remaining schedule: at Houston, Seattle, Denver, at Las Vegas
Rebounded from the tough loss to Cincy, the Chiefs got back in the win column last week against a tough Denver team that had their offense show up. While the division is pretty much a formality at this point, they can still catch Buffalo for the top seed. They have an easier schedule than the Bills with facing only one team that is in real playoff contention the rest of the way. This weekend's game could be viewed as a trap as the Texans just gave the soon-to-be-playoff bound Cowboys all they could handle.
3 seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-4, own the head to head over Cincinnati)
Remaining schedule: at Cleveland, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, at Cincinnati
Everything is lining up for the Ravens to be playing for the division at the season finale in Cincy. The have a light schedule before that but it's not a gimme with two divisional games and a team that still has playoff hopes making up the three games before the finale. Also of note, while Lamar Jackson is still recovering and Tyler Huntley possibly out, too, the Ravens could be relying on a third QB to steer the ship for a bit.
4 seed: Tennessee Titans (7-6)
Remaining schedule: at Los Angeles Chargers, Houston, Dallas, at Jacksonville
They are trending the wrong way and need to fix it in a hurry. Three losses in a row against elite competition (Cincy, Philly) and a divisional rival (Jags) has the team only with a two game lead over the Jags. While the division is still very much lining up to be theirs, the remaining schedule looks harder than it did a few weeks ago. Could we be looking at a game for the division at season's end?
5 seed: Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
Remaining schedule: at Tampa, at New England, Buffalo, Baltimore
The showdown with Baltimore looms and the schedule is kind with their road games first and then finished with two at home. That's there the kindness ends as all four games are against teams in the playoff field. Cincinnati is very elite this season and they will have an elite run of four games to end the year. The first step is a Tampa team that has been good defensively despite their offensive struggles.
6 seed: Miami Dolphins (8-5)
Remaining schedule: at Buffalo, Green Bay, at New England, New York Jets
Two consecutive losses have put on a damper on the five game winning streak that came before it. The division is now a longer shot and their chances could all but end this weekend if they lose in Orchard Park. It doesn't get any easier as two divisional games follow a match up against a Green Bay team that could be playing for pride/faint playoff hopes.
7 seed: New England Patriots (7-6, own the conference record tiebreaker over the Chargers)
Remaining schedule: at Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Miami, at Buffalo
They are still in it and will have to ride the momentum of Monday night's win over Arizona to Vegas this weekend to keep the playoff dream afloat. After that, the schedule is brutal to end the season with two divisional games and a date with Cincy. Their defense has been good this season, but will New England's offense be up to the task against these three teams boasting good QB play?
Teams Still In the Hunt
8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6, own conference record tiebreaker over the Jets)
The Chargers have split the last six and got a huge win over Miami last weekend to keep themselves on the fringes of the playoff picture. This weekend's game against a reeling Tennessee team may be their hardest game left until the season finale at Denver.
9. New York Jets (7-6)
Being swept by New England (again) hurts them bad this year as it's costing them a couple of tiebreakers right now. Two straight losses to Minnesota and Buffalo have them trending wrong was as they have lost three of four out of the bye. It's not any easier as a hot Detroit team comes to town this weekend.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
The division is likely the only way in the playoffs right now and they are down two games with four to play. They draw a Dallas team this weekend that was happy to escape with a win last weekend. It won't be easy but an upset against an elite NFC team will make things VERY interesting over the holidays.
If the Season Ended Today...
Divisional Bye: Buffalo Bills
Super Wild Card Weekend:
Patriots at Chiefs
Dolphins at Ravens
Bengals at Titans
1 seed: Philadelphia Eagles (12-1)
Remaining schedule: at Chicago, at Dallas, New Orleans, New York Giants
They are the only team that has officially clinched a playoff spot at the moment. Nothing else is set for them yet but last week's win over the division rival Giants sets them up nicely when coupled with Minnesota's loss to Detroit. The team continues to preach one game at a time and 1-0 each week. Philly's destiny is under their control and they can move a step closer to a division title and the one seed with a win this weekend at Soldier Field.
2 seed: Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
Remaining schedule: Indianapolis, New York Giants, at Green Bay, at Chicago
The divisional celebration was put on hold by the Lions and the Vikings will have to rebound from that loss and gear up for a tough defense in Indy this weekend. Everything but the one seed is still in front of them as they have a favorable schedule the rest of the way. It's not a gimme as two games are divisional and one will be against a Giants team that is likely to be desperate.
3 seed: San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Remaining schedule: at Seattle, Washington, at Las Vegas, Arizona
The hottest team right now in the league, they have won six straight to take over the NFC West. Their likely hardest game remaining is tonight at Seattle. A win here wraps the division up and keeps the pressure on Minnesota for the two seed come playoff time. After that, three favorable matchups to improve their seeding. One thing to watch, can QB Brock Purdy play and play through injury? One thing we DO know: their NFL best defense will come to play.
4 seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
Remaining schedule: Cincinnati, at Arizona, Carolina, at Atlanta
Last week's loss has to be flushed as quickly as possible because a tough team in Cincy comes to town that is looking to keep pace with the Ravens atop the AFC North. The Bucs defense has been good all season, except for last week, but offensively, they have been challenged. Even with the G.O.A.T. at QB. It is due to injury? Todd Bowles as a HC? Father Time catch up to Brady (finally)? Maybe it's all three. But time is running out on the season and their lead isn't safe as they have TWO divisional games remaining on their plate.
5 seed: Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
Remaining schedule: at Jacksonville, Philadelphia, at Tennessee, at Washington
This isn't college. There are no style points. Wins are wins however you get them. Especially this time of year. They escaped with one against the Texans last week after being outplayed for about 58 or so minutes. When they had to have it, Dak delivered. Now it's on to a lively Jacksonville team that has playoff hopes of their own. I know many Dallas fans are looking forward to the FOLLOWING game against Philadelphia but, I would advise them to not overlook this Jags team that has an HC that is familiar with them.
6 seed: Washington Commanders (7-5-1, own the division record tiebreaker over the Giants)
Remaining schedule: New York Giants, at San Francisco, Cleveland, Dallas
Last weekend went perfectly for the Commanders as the Giants and Seahawks both lost, placing the Commanders inside the playoffs for the moment. Next up, forget the rest of the schedule at the moment. The game this weekend against the Giants is a de facto playoff game and the loser will see their playoff hopes take a huge blow. Kudos to the NFL for flexing this in to Sunday night.
7 seed: New York Giants (7-5-1)
Remaining schedule: at Washington, at Minnesota, Indianapolis, at Philadelphia
It's been a tough several weeks for the G-Men and it doesn't get any easier as the rematch against the Commanders is upon them. Lose this game, and the rest of the schedule might be irrelevant. Not exactly, but you know what I mean.
Teams Still In the Hunt
8. Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
The showdown tonight is huge. A loss here eliminates them from the division and also hurts their playoff hopes.
9. Detroit Lions (6-7)
They won five of six and, while the division is still likely out of reach, the playoffs are not. They draw a good defense in the Jets this weekend that is fighting for their own playoff life.
10. Green Bay Packers (5-8, own the strength over victory tiebreaker over Carolina and Atlanta)
While on a bye, the weekend went well as the Seahawks and Giants lost despite the Lions winning. They are mathematically alive but a loss on Monday night to the Rams may end the playoff dream.
11. Carolina Panthers (5-8. own the divisional record tiebreak over Atlanta)
Steve Wilks has coached this team to 4-4 since Matt Rhule's firing and has the team in the playoff picture, just a game behind division leading Tampa Bay. The remaining schedule is not easy but they have a chance - including a chance at a season sweep of Tampa.
12. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
It's a long climb, but they have a chance to catch Tampa in the division. Splitting with Carolina is nice, but the week one meltdown against the Saints coupled with being unable to complete the comeback against the Bucs in week five is SERIOUSLY hurting them right now.
If the Season Ended Today...
Divisional Bye: Philadelphia Eagles
Super Wild Card Weekend:
Giants at Vikings
Commanders at 49ers
Cowboys at Buccaneers
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